SIGNING DAY 2006 - Will Patterson

Bradley Stevenson

02/01/2006

He might still be in high school, but that has not stopped William Patterson of thinking of his not-so-distant future. With holes left in Indiana's defense due to graduation, Patterson is ready to come to campus with the goal of playing right away and making an instant mark on Indiana football.

He might still be in high school, but that has not stopped William Patterson of thinking of his not-so-distant future. With holes left in Indiana's defense due to graduation, Patterson is ready to come to campus with the goal of playing right away and making an instant mark on Indiana football.

"I know it's an opportunity for me to play on a higher level and I plan to compete as soon as I step on campus," said Patterson. "Coach Billy Lynch asks me all the time if I'm ready to come in and play early. I'm going to compete for a starting job. My motivation is I did it as a freshman in high school I can do it again in college."

The Indianapolis Lawrence North product Patterson expects to not only compete in practice, but also work his way up the depth chart and onto the field.

"My freshman year they started a senior over me and it took me a few games to beat him out," said Patterson. "Basically it took me six or seven games and then I was getting a lot of snaps and our last big sectional game against Warren Central I started."

The 6-foot, 210-pound Patterson helped Lawrence North to a 9-3 record this past season by totaling 132 tackles, including 19 tackles for loss and four sacks. Patterson also had three interceptions and scored three defensive touchdowns, returning a pair of his interceptions for scores and a fumble as well.

"I'm excited to get to campus," said Patterson. "I've been waiting patiently for my chance to get down there. All I can do right now is work out and get into shape. I'm planning on going down there in peak shape so I'll have a chance to compete. I'm ready to get started."

Patterson was on campus the weekend of Indiana's rivalry game with Purdue and had a chance to meet many of his fellow recruits. The trip left a mark on Patterson after watching Indiana lose, 41-14.

"When they lost to Purdue it made me feel like I was given the chance to go somewhere where I could help start a big turnaround," said Patterson. "It's a great opportunity for this class. Hopefully we can do what Coach Hoeppner asks of us and work together to get it done.

"I talked to a lot of the guys that were in on the same recruiting trip as me and we were sort of just feeling each other out. I thought a few of them were going to be future teammates that went other places, but it was a good group of guys that were fun to hangout with."

While playing less than an hour from his future home, Patterson had the opportunity to watch the Hoosier program closely and get to know his future coaching staff.

"I talk to Coach Lynch as much as the rules allow and we've gotten to know each other pretty well," said Patterson. "I've met all the coaches and a lot of players at Indiana and I already know the group of guys I want to be around."

Patterson was the anchor for the Lawrence North team that finished ranked No. 5 in the state of Indiana in the Class 5A Coaches Poll and the only team to beat eventual state champion Warren Central. He hopes to continue that success while at Indiana.

"It's going to be a lot of fun playing for Coach Hoeppner," said Patterson. "He's similar to my coach because he knows how to have fun with his players and crack a joke here or there, but when it's time to get serious he takes care of business. I think we'll have fun, but when it's time to go to work I'm going to be ready to work hard for him."